Dubs' mascot Molly brings the team luck on the day

It's the heart-warming smile that says it all.

Molly McNally (7), who has been battling cancer, was thrilled to see her heroes power their way to victory in Croke Park yesterday.

Molly's dad, Gerry, said she was thrilled with Dublin's win.

"She was absolutely delighted with the result. We had a great sing-song on the way home," he said.

"She was sitting in the Cusack Lower Stand, but in the section that the roof covers, so it was great - she didn't get soaked during the match."

The McNally family are huge Dubs fans, so it could not have been a better result for them.

Molly was decked out in a special sky blue poncho, and had her cheek painted with the team's colours especially for the big occasion.

And there was no doubting who her favourite player on the team is.

"She was wearing a rosette with a picture of herself and Bernard Brogan that her nanny Mary made for her," said Gerry. "Bernard played very well."

As well as Brogan, Molly is a big fan of Paul Flynn.

Molly and her dad returned home to Balbriggan after the match.

"I recorded it, and after something to eat the plan is to watch it again," said Gerry.

Molly is known as the Dubs' mascot, and she certainly brought the team luck on the day.

"I think she does bring them luck. They've won everything this year," said her delighted dad.

There was special excitement for Molly's sister Jill too.

Jill (11) was a flag bearer at the match, and got to wave her Dubs colours on the pitch before the teams ran out.

"She loved it. She saw them all running out of the tunnel," said Gerry.

"It's something great to remember later on," said Gerry, "and it was all the more special because of the Dubs winning."

Kind-hearted Dubs fans had supported a campaign to get Molly to the final.

The Hill 16 Army supporters' page on Facebook put up a "Get Molly to the Final" post which was widely shared.

Molly, who has another 12 weeks of immunotherapy left as part of her treatment for neuroblastoma, has built up close friendships with the Dublin GAA teams.

Last January, Bernard Brogan paid a surprise visit to her home before she went into hospital for another round of treatment. The Dubs star later tweeted a picture of the card with a heart Molly had made for him.

Remission

Last September, she was chosen to lead out the Dublin Ladies' team in the All-Ireland senior final at Croke Park against Cork.

It is nearly two years since Molly was diagnosed with cancer, and her latest scans were clear, meaning she is in remission.